This text stresses comprehensive coverage, concreteness and topicality of illustration, and clarity of prose. Topics are presented in a modular style, making this text ideal for a wide variety of teaching approaches.

Author Bio

Jason, Gary : San Diego State University

Preface.

PART 1: THE ELEMENTS OF CRITICAL THINKING: STATEMENTS, QUESTIONS AND ARGUMENTS. 1. CRITICAL THINKING: DEVELOPING A GOOD MENTAL MODEL.

Critical Thinking and Mental Models. Clarity and Consistency. Relevance. Justification, Explanatory and Predictive Power. The Usefulness of Critical Thinking. The Organization of this Book.

Key Concepts. Types of Explanation. A Closer Look at DN and IS Explanations. Rules for Forming Hypotheses. Rules for Assessing Hypotheses.

PART 3: APPLICATIONS OF CRITICAL THINKING: DECISIONS IN A DEMOCRATIC MARKET ECONOMY. 17. DECISION MAKING: A GENERAL MODEL.

Decisions, Decisions. Framing the Decision Question. Identifying the Alternative. Identifying the Criteria. Weighing the Criteria. Putting it All Together: Selecting the Best Option.

18. APPLICATION I: ADVERTISING AND CONSUMER CHOICE.

The Pervasiveness of Consumer Choice. Psychological Mechanisms Exploited by Sales Agents. The Role of Advertising in Manipulating Demand. The Role of Advertising in Misleading Consumers about Costs and Benefits. Overcoming Sales Trickery.

19. APPLICATION II: POLITICAL RHETORIC AND DEMOCRATIC CHOICE.

Political Agents. Common Political Rhetorical Tricks. Overcoming Political Trickery.

This text stresses comprehensive coverage, concreteness and topicality of illustration, and clarity of prose. Topics are presented in a modular style, making this text ideal for a wide variety of teaching approaches.

Author Bio

Jason, Gary : San Diego State University

Table of Contents

Preface.

PART 1: THE ELEMENTS OF CRITICAL THINKING: STATEMENTS, QUESTIONS AND ARGUMENTS. 1. CRITICAL THINKING: DEVELOPING A GOOD MENTAL MODEL.

Critical Thinking and Mental Models. Clarity and Consistency. Relevance. Justification, Explanatory and Predictive Power. The Usefulness of Critical Thinking. The Organization of this Book.

Key Concepts. Types of Explanation. A Closer Look at DN and IS Explanations. Rules for Forming Hypotheses. Rules for Assessing Hypotheses.

PART 3: APPLICATIONS OF CRITICAL THINKING: DECISIONS IN A DEMOCRATIC MARKET ECONOMY. 17. DECISION MAKING: A GENERAL MODEL.

Decisions, Decisions. Framing the Decision Question. Identifying the Alternative. Identifying the Criteria. Weighing the Criteria. Putting it All Together: Selecting the Best Option.

18. APPLICATION I: ADVERTISING AND CONSUMER CHOICE.

The Pervasiveness of Consumer Choice. Psychological Mechanisms Exploited by Sales Agents. The Role of Advertising in Manipulating Demand. The Role of Advertising in Misleading Consumers about Costs and Benefits. Overcoming Sales Trickery.

19. APPLICATION II: POLITICAL RHETORIC AND DEMOCRATIC CHOICE.

Political Agents. Common Political Rhetorical Tricks. Overcoming Political Trickery.